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2026 AF Symposium
AF Symposium Abstracts—A Wealth of New Findings
AF Symposium Abstracts are concise summaries of research, presented as “posters” and posted on panels in a long hallway. At this year’s Symposium there were 103 abstracts with a wealth of the latest information. The panels stretched as far as the eye could see (see photo). (Last year there were just 60+ abstracts.)
Caution: Not “Refereed” Journal Articles
Be aware that these abstracts, in general, are non-refereed (non-peer-reviewed) presentations, and are often the work of a single medical center or hospital. The research can differ from established medical research protocols and often has a very small number of patients/test subjects.
My First Ten Brief Reports
For reference, I’ve listed the author of each abstract along with the abstract identifying & submission numbers as published in the 2026 AF Symposium program. As of late, the abstracts are not published online, but if they become available, I’ll update this page with links.
Note: In the past, the topics of some abstracts have become so timely and important that the authors were invited to expand their presentation and appear as speakers at the next year’s AF Symposium.
1. Combining PFA with Left Atrial Appendage Closure—Everyone’s Doing It!
Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) can feasibly be combined with Left Atrial Appendage occlusion in the same procedure (concomitant procedures). [Many other abstracts (and presentations) documented this finding.] (p. 21, Amin Al-Ahmad, AFS2026-04, Submission Number 2296505)
2. Catheter Ablation Steps Up and Makes You More Active
Step count measured by wearable activity trackers offers a passive measurement of patient improvement and quality of life. Participating A-Fib patients were loaned Apple Watches (series4+) to measure activity pre- and post-ablation. A mean daily step count baseline was established 90 days prior and 90-180 days post-ablation. A post-ablation step count exceeding 500-step/day threshold was deemed a meaningful improvement.
Results: Post-ablation, patients had a significant increase of +847 steps/day independent of demographic or other factors (e.g., age, sex, BMI, comorbidities). Wearable-derived step count after catheter ablation provides an objective measurement of improved patient outcomes. [As I see it, more steps = more activity = improved quality of life!] (p. 20, Nikhil Ahluwalia, AFS2026-03, Submission Number 2298056)
3. You Can Go Home After PFA—Same Day Discharge
Patients who have a Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) can be discharged on the same day and don’t have to stay overnight. (Commonly, ablation patients go home the next day.)
A retrospective analysis was made of 78 consecutive patients who had PFA from March to July 2024 with a follow-up of 30 days. Mean bed rest time was 4.82 hours. Thirty-day readmission occurred in 4 patients, 8 experienced arrhythmia recurrence within 30 days. Researchers found same day discharge following PFA is both safe and feasible. (p. 22, Haroon Alam, AFS2026-05, Submission Number 2289143)
4. Pinpointing Where Your A-Fib is Coming From—Mapping High-Rate Activity
During the SAHRA Multicenter Trial, Local Atrial High-Rate Activity (brief, often asymptomatic, fast atrial heart rhythms typically 5–6 minutes long) can identify promising A-Fib signal sites. This assists in mapping A-Fib drivers for ablation. (p. 24, Till Althoff, AFS2026-07, Submission Number 2296404)
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Helps Cure A-Fib—Identifies Ablation Sites
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm by BeatLogic (LUX-Dx ICM) identified patients’ sites to be ablated with near perfect agreement with 3 expert electrophysiologists (EPs). (p. 25, Jason Andrade, AFS2026-08, Submission Number 2253635 )
6. Beating Atypical Atrial Flutter—Peak Frequency Mapping
In Atypical Atrial Flutter (one of the most difficult, complex arrhythmias to map and ablate), a Peak Frequency mapping algorithm (Abbott Ensite X 3.0) rapidly identified successful sites for ablation. The algorithm was combined with mapping of voltage, fractionation, and Local Activation Time (LAT). (p. 27, Amitesh Anerao, AFS2026-10, Submission Number 2264872)
7. Predicting If Your A-Fib Will Come Back After Ablation—Mapping Low Voltage Areas
Left Atrial Low Voltage Areas (LVAs) on pre-ablation mapping strongly predict whose A-Fib will come back (recurrence) long-term. Recurrence of A-Fib is often triggered by signals originating in the regions of the septal, posterior wall, and pulmonary vein antral. (p. 29, Irfan Ansari, AFS2026-12, Submission Number 2303108)
8. No Symptoms, No Problem!—Catheter Ablation Better Than Medications
In patients with no or few A-Fib symptoms, catheter ablation produces better rhythm control (staying in normal sinus rhythm) than use of medications (drug therapy). Catheter ablation reduces recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation by roughly half and maintains benefits for up to 5 years. In addition, catheter ablation may help prevent progression of the disease and complications. (p. 30, Sami Asif, AFS2026-13, Submission Number 2302830)
9. A-Fib During Blanking Period is a Red Flag Warning!—Watch Out for Recurrence
More than half the Catheter Ablation patients with “early recurrence” episode(s) during the post-ablation blanking period (usually up to 3 months after ablation), often will experience “late recurrence” within 1 year. [If your A-Fib comes back during the 3-month blanking period, you and your doctors should be aware that you have more than a 50% chance of your A-Fib returning.] (p. 31, Megan Baumgartner, AFS2026-14, Submission Number 2298793)
10. Identifying Where To Ablate Just Using ECG— Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pattern Recognition Software
Using only the standard 12-lead ECG signal in real time, AI Pattern Recognition Software (AIPRS) accurately identified A-Fib termination sites and revealed unablated extra Pulmonary Vein (PV) drivers (EnSite X mapping system via LiveSync). Thus, allowing more thorough mapping and ablation of A-Fib signals. (p. 33, Ryan Bokan, AFS2026-16, Submission Number 2303149)
Abstracts Not Online: While printed in the 2026 AF Symposium Program, these abstracts are not published online. But if they become available, I’ll update this page with links.
More Reports to Come: I found many exciting 2026 AF Symposium Abstracts. So look for more of my summaries.
